@David ********

no one is talking about OA.

A non-o obtained from your home embassy does not require any insurance.

The difference is an OA is a 1yr Visa requiring medical, criminal and insurance. It also allows multientry, that can stretch it to almost 2 yrs.

A non-o is not a longstay Visa, it is only a 90 day visa that must be extended in Thailand.

And requires 800k in a that bank or an embassy endorsed income.

** which the US does not do.

@Chris ****

and how did you stay in country?

Both are valid paths.

The embassy route is the smartest and most efficient.

And you will be extending the visa.

Not changing, renewing, etc.

You will find that terminology will be important to avoid confusion and potentially incorrect Information "lost in translation".

@Janelle ****

you have an attorney prepare one.

@Sasi ***********

yes and they will have the appropriate visa.

Tourists cannot legally volunteer work.

It does not mean it doesn't happen but can be very problematic if someone complains of foreigners working.

It doesn't matter if it is paid.

Best to have a local will.

We have local Thai wills and foreign registered wills in our home country.

Matching our requests.

@Deb *******

unfortunately "what you call it" is not really what it is.

Terminology is important.

As there are other "retirement options" and non-o based on being over 50 is just one category of the 90 day non-o visa.

Strictly speaking these others

O-A, O-X, LTR are one year and more retirement visas.

@Deb *******

a non-o visa is the category of visa you require for over 50 based on retirement.

It sounds like you need more research to understand the visa process.

The process can take weeks with an agent.

The question I have is:

do you financially qualify for the visas?

And if so, why not apply for the non-o (and possibly a dependant non-o if your embassy still allows it) from your own country before leaving?

This simplifies the process in country and there would be no need to use an agent.

If you are unable to qualify then it's understood why you need an agent.

@David ***

money had to be in a thai bank 60 days for the 1yr extension.